loki

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Rescue of Two Nepali Teenage Girls Sold to Indian Orchestra from Siraha and Dhanusha; Preparations Underway to Bring Four More

Summary:
Two Nepali teenage girls from Siraha and Dhanusha, who were sold to an orchestra group in Bihar, India, have been rescued and brought back to Nepal. They were found and sheltered by Indian police at a child welfare home in Siwan about a month ago before being repatriated. One girl from Dhanusha had been trafficked about three months ago and suffered mental and physical abuse, forced drinking, confinement, and unpaid labor. The other from Siraha was rescued just three days after arriving at the orchestra. There are still three Nepali girls in the same Indian welfare home and one more in a critical state in the orchestra group. Efforts are underway to rescue and bring these four young women back to Nepal soon.

Archive: https://archive.md/ElFty

 

Summary:
Nepalese gardeners in Reading, UK, have demonstrated that homemade compost made from kitchen and garden waste outperforms shop-bought compost in growing mustard plants. A study by the University of Reading found that mustard plants grown in community-made compost showed better growth, larger leaves and flowers, and stronger roots. Nutrient analysis revealed higher micronutrient levels in the homemade compost, enriching the soil more effectively. The project, involving the Integrated Research Development Centre (IRDC) and the Nepalese community, also helped members learn to produce two types of compost. This research supports sustainable, affordable gardening practices within the community.

Archive: https://archive.md/EW38C

 

Electricity Authority Executive Director Says Load Shedding Has Not Started in Chitwan

Summary:
Hitendra Dev Shakya, the Executive Director of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), stated that the claims about load shedding starting in Chitwan are not true. He explained that power supply was temporarily stopped for maintenance work, specifically to upgrade the substation in Chitwan by replacing old conductors that could no longer handle the load.

Due to the old conductors' inability to support increased electricity demand, especially during the hot season and irrigation period when load increases significantly, there were power outages which some misinterpreted as load shedding.

The Chanauli distribution center had issued a 6-hour load shedding schedule due to the overloaded 33 kV conductor from Bharatpur substation, which cannot handle more than 300 amperes, but currently faces demand up to 450 amperes. This has led to the necessity of load shedding in certain feeder lines supplying Narayani-Madi, Meghauli-Vijaynagar-Shukrungar, and Jagatpur-Rampur areas.

To solve this issue, a new 33 kV transmission line from Baseni substation is under construction to increase capacity.

Additionally, Shakya mentioned that the administrative review committee's deadline for resolving the dispute over payments for dedicated and trunk lines has been extended by 35 days. If payments are not cleared, power lines may be cut off.

Archive: https://archive.md/MAbKV

 

Summary:
A Cathay Pacific Airbus A330 was grounded at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), Kathmandu, for nearly two weeks after its left engine malfunctioned unexpectedly during takeoff preparations on July 11, 2025. The 12-ton engine was removed and replaced outdoors in front of Nepal Airlines’ maintenance hangar due to the lack of adequate hangar infrastructure at TIA.

Cathay Pacific flew a spare engine to Kathmandu using a Boeing 747-400 cargo aircraft, as the airport cannot accommodate larger 747-800 cargo jets due to limited parking space. The grounded aircraft occupied valuable apron space, causing congestion and delays. Despite airport requests to move the plane to remote parking, Cathay Pacific preferred to pay fees to keep it at the main apron.

The incident highlights TIA’s outdated facilities, especially the absence of an international-standard hangar for large aircraft maintenance and overhaul. Nepal lacks essential parts and tools for wide-body aircraft servicing, forcing airlines to rely on external support during technical emergencies. This event echoes similar challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic with other grounded aircraft.

Archive: https://archive.md/XFMWL

 

Stolen Five Hundred-Year-Old Thangka from Mahavihar and Smuggled to America Returned to Nepal

Summary:
Three ancient artifacts, including a 575-year-old Thangka painting, stolen from the Itumbahal Thangka Mahavihar in Nepal in 1980 and smuggled to the USA, have been returned to Nepal. The artifacts were handed over by the National Museum to the Thangka Mahavihar Preservation Society in Itumbahal for restoration. The three pieces include:

  • A 575-year-old Thangka depicting Gagansingh Bharoya and his wife
  • A 300-year-old Chintamani Lokeshwar Thangka
  • A 321-year-old Thangka featuring Keshchandra with Bhairav

These artworks were stolen on September 14, 1980 (Bhadra 29, 2037 BS) and later traced to Chicago. With coordination between Nepalese authorities and the Newah Guthi in the USA, they were repatriated and kept at the National Museum before being handed over for preservation.

The return ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Urban Development Minister Prakash Man Singh along with museum officials and society representatives. The Thangka paintings were traditionally displayed annually during the Gula festival for fifteen days until they were stolen. Their recovery marks the end of a two-decade effort to bring these cultural treasures back to Nepal.

Archive: https://archive.md/ks3lo

 

Risk of Food Crisis Due to Drought in Madhes, Nepal, Only about 51% of the planned rice cultivation

Summary: Current Situation:

  • Only about 51% of the planned rice cultivation (ropai) has been completed in Madhes province due to insufficient rainfall.
  • The planting season should be ending but significant areas remain unplanted.

Key Statistics:

  • Out of 372,000 hectares meant for rice cultivation, only 192,000 hectares have been planted.

  • District-wise planting percentages: - Sarlahi: 56%

  • Mahottari: 35%

  • Siraha: 38%

  • Dhanusha: 35%

  • Saptari: 37%

  • Baraa and Parsa districts have better progress with 80% and 81% planting, respectively.

Problems Identified:

  • Lack of irrigation facilities; farmers depend on rainwater.
  • Even in planted fields, rice seedlings are drying up due to inadequate water.
  • Poor maintenance of canals and limited operation of boreholes and tubewells due to power supply issues.
  • Late planting and water scarcity likely to cause a significant drop in rice production.

Implications:

  • Last year (FY 2081/82), Madhes produced about 1.5 million metric tons of rice. This year, production is expected to fall substantially.
  • Food crisis risk is rising, specially among small and marginalized farmers.
  • Agricultural officials warn that the shortage could lead to food scarcity in the Terai region.

Government Response:

  • Madhes has been declared a drought-affected area.
  • A government team led by Irrigation Ministry officials has conducted on-site assessments and is preparing recommendations.
  • Prime Minister announced installation of 500 boreholes to mitigate water shortage.
  • Authorities aim to provide irrigation within the next 15-20 days but face challenges due to power and infrastructure limitations.

Recommendations:

  • Consider alternative crops if irrigation and rain do not improve by mid-August.
  • Improve electric supply for better operation of boreholes and tubewells.
  • Focus on maintenance of existing irrigation infrastructure.

Additional Impact:

  • Besides irrigation, potable water scarcity is worsening as rivers, wells, and hand pumps dry up.

This situation poses a significant threat to food security in Madhes due to ongoing drought and insufficient irrigation infrastructure. Immediate government action and alternative farming strategies are necessary to mitigate the crisis.

Archive: https://archive.md/i9qJr

 

Summary:
Former Maoist child soldiers in Nepal are seeking justice for years of neglect by successive governments. They have filed a petition in the Supreme Court demanding prosecution of top Maoist leaders, including former Prime Ministers Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Baburam Bhattarai, for using minors in armed conflict during the decade-long insurgency. Despite initial resistance from the court and slow judicial proceedings, the case is moving forward. Legal experts classify the use of child soldiers as a war crime under international law, but existing national laws fall short of explicitly addressing reparations for minors. The government has provided some compensation to former combatants but little to those disqualified as minors. Former child soldiers have also appealed to international bodies such as the UN for justice.

Key Points:

  • Petition Filed: Nine former child soldiers led by Lenin Bista filed a Supreme Court petition in 2023 demanding prosecution of Maoist leaders Dahal and Bhattarai.
  • Legal Challenges: Petition registration was initially denied due to jurisdiction issues but later accepted; final hearing held in July 2023 after delays.
  • International Law Violation: Use of minors in armed conflict is considered a war crime; thousands of verified child soldiers were recruited during the Maoist insurgency.
  • Government Response: Some financial support was given to combatants choosing voluntary retirement; minors disqualified from integration received minimal aid.
  • Calls for Justice: Former child soldiers and advocates seek accountability and compensation, citing failure of past transitional justice efforts.
  • UN Involvement: Petition was also submitted to the UN Human Rights Office demanding prioritization of justice for former child soldiers.

The case reflects ongoing struggles over transitional justice in Nepal's post-conflict period and highlights gaps in addressing the rights and rehabilitation of child combatants.

Archive: https://archive.md/S7v3Z

 

Summary:

  • Cyber slavery is a growing forced labor issue in Southeast Asia, particularly in Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
  • Victims, often young people from Nepal, Bangladesh, and the Philippines with basic English and digital skills, are lured by fake job offers in tech or customer service, promising high salaries abroad.
  • Instead, they are trafficked into scam centers where they work long hours under armed guard, forced to run online scams such as crypto romance frauds and investment scams targeting global victims.
  • Conditions are brutal: victims face torture, physical abuse, amputation, and psychological trauma. Escape is rare and difficult due to militarized compounds in remote, lawless border areas with corrupt officials and armed groups.
  • Cyber slavery fuels a multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise, severely impacting regional economies (up to 40% of GDP in some countries).
  • Law enforcement struggles due to jurisdictional challenges, use of foreign servers, and the technical consent of workers under duress.
  • Survivors often become advocates for others trapped in these cyber slavery rings after rescue.

Archive: https://archive.is/vgTa6

5
submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by loki to c/Nepal
 

Summary:

  • New Minimum Wage: The government of Nepal has increased the minimum monthly wage from Rs 17,300 to Rs 19,550.
  • Effective Date: The new wage came into effect from Shravan 1, 2082 BS (mid-July 2025).
  • Tripartite Agreement: This decision was made after an agreement between the government, employers, and trade unions during a meeting at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security.

Revised Minimum Wages:-

  • Basic Salary: Rs 19,550/month
  • Daily Wage: Rs 754
  • Hourly Wage: Rs 101

Additional Cost: Employers must also contribute 20% to the Social Security Fund, increasing total monthly cost to Rs 21,984.

Legal Basis: The change follows provisions in the Labour Act 2074, which requires revision of minimum wages every two years based on recommendations.

Impact:- For Employers: Need to update payroll and HR policies, adjust budgets, and comply with the law to avoid penalties.

For Employees: Provides better financial support amid rising living costs, improves job security and life quality.

The article concludes that this wage adjustment is a significant step toward fairer pay in Nepal and calls for smooth adaptation by companies to comply with the law.

Archive: https://archive.md/nhqkM

4
submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by loki to c/Nepal
 

Summary:
A 25-year-old Indian pilgrim, Pankaj Kumar Bhagat from Sitamarhi district, Bihar, was hacked to death during a dispute among pilgrims at Madhuganga Mahadev temple in Sindhuli, Nepal. The police suspect the attackers are also Indian nationals and are searching for them. Another unidentified man, aged 50-55, was found dead near the temple. Weapons were recovered from the scene.

Archive: https://archive.md/cmNVb

 

Summary:

  • Nepal Policy Institute (NPI) Chair Dr. Khagendra Raj Dhakal recommended adopting key elements of Thailand's "30 Baht Scheme" to help Nepal advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
  • The recommendation was made during a meeting with Nepal’s Minister for Health and Population, Pradip Paudel, in Bangkok on June 26, 2025.
  • Thailand's 30 Baht Scheme, started in 2001, initially charged a nominal fee for healthcare but later became fully tax-funded and now covers nearly 75% of Thailand’s population through the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS). Together with other schemes, coverage exceeds 99%.
  • The Thai model offers affordable services including outpatient, inpatient care, maternal health, diagnostics, and chronic disease management, mostly through public facilities.
  • Dr. Dhakal suggested Nepal unify its UHC framework, digitize National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) enrollment, link health promotion funding to sin taxes (taxes on tobacco, alcohol), and pilot reforms in provinces with good digital infrastructure.
  • Minister Paudel welcomed these ideas and expressed interest in working with NPI on health financing, digital integration, and policy innovation.
  • The government is committed to expanding health coverage and reforming NHIP to better serve informal sector workers and low-income groups.
  • The meeting also included other officials from Nepal’s delegation in Bangkok.

In short, Nepal is considering adapting Thailand’s successful low-cost, tax-funded health coverage model to improve its own national health insurance and universal health coverage system.

Archive: https://archive.md/Ue20M

8
submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by loki to c/Nepal
 

Summary:
Two women-led courts in Nepal—the Hetauda Bench High Court and Makawanpur District Court—have shown outstanding judicial performance over the past two years, with high case clearance rates and improved service delivery.

Hetauda Bench High Court:

  • Jurisdiction over Chitwan and Makawanpur districts
  • Led by five female judges out of seven sanctioned posts
  • In fiscal year 2024/25, cleared 1,247 out of 1,727 cases (72% clearance)
  • No pending cases older than two years

Makawanpur District Court:

  • Entirely run by four female judges
  • In fiscal year 2024/25, resolved 2,868 out of 4,150 cases (69.11% clearance)
  • Only two cases older than two years pending (down from 22 the previous year)

Judges emphasize that gender does not affect their ability to deliver justice impartially. The courts also have a significant number of women in administrative roles, contributing to efficient functioning. Legal experts praise the women judges for their leadership and positive impact, especially in sensitive cases. This success highlights women's capability in judicial leadership and effective justice delivery in Nepal.

Archive: https://archive.md/LXhRq

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